JP5083416B2 - In-vehicle information processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention relates to an on-vehicle information processing apparatus that realizes various functions in cooperation with a mobile device connected in a vehicle.
[Background]
[0002]
Conventionally, wireless communication based on Bluetooth between devices (such as mobile phones, microphone units, portable audio players, portable personal computers, personal information devices, etc.) with Bluetooth (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter) communication function brought into the vehicle An in-vehicle information processing apparatus that exchanges information by communication is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this in-vehicle information processing apparatus, initial menus such as a car navigation function, a car audio function, and a communication function with an electronic device with a Bluetooth communication function are displayed on the display.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-239897 A DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0003]
By the way, there are various types of portable devices that cooperate with the above-described types of in-vehicle information processing apparatuses, such as mobile phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), and portable audios. In addition, functions that can be realized in cooperation with the in-vehicle information processing apparatus are diversifying, such as a hands-free function, an audio function, and a telephone directory function. Even within the same category of mobile phones, the functions that can be realized differ depending on the model. For example, as a function that can be realized in cooperation with an in-vehicle information processing apparatus, there are mobile phones that have only a hands-free function, and there are mobile phones that have a hands-free function and an audio function (a function for playing music or the like). .
[0004]
On the other hand, it is desirable that the in-vehicle information processing apparatus has various functions and can provide operation screens for various functions corresponding to the various portable devices as much as possible.
[0005]
However, with the diversification of mobile devices as described above, there may be a case where the functions possessed by the mobile device and the functions possessed by the in-vehicle information processing apparatus do not match. Therefore, if the operation screen provided by the in-vehicle information processing apparatus is generated uniformly (uniformly) without considering the model and type of the mobile device to be connected, there is a possibility that the user may be confused. For example, if a mobile phone that has only a hands-free function is connected but an operation screen corresponding to the hands-free function and the audio function is provided, the user can select the audio function on the surface. In fact, an audio function may not be realized. Such a situation is not preferable because it causes confusion to the user.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle information processing apparatus and the like that can present an appropriate operation screen corresponding to a function possessed by a connected portable device.
Means for Solving the Problems
In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-vehicle information processing apparatus that realizes various functions in cooperation with a mobile device connected in a vehicle,
A communication device for communicating with a portable device,
A screen generation device that generates an operation screen for various functions that can be realized in cooperation with a mobile device,
The screen generation device is realized in cooperation with the connected mobile device among various functions that can be realized in cooperation with the mobile device based on information of the mobile device connected through the communication device. An in-vehicle information processing apparatus is provided that identifies a possible function and generates the operation screen that differs depending on the identified realizable function.
Effect of the Invention [0008]
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vehicle-mounted information processing apparatus etc. which can show the suitable operation screen according to the function which the connected portable apparatus has are obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0009]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall system configuration including an embodiment of an in-vehicle information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of main processing realized by the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen image of an example of various operation screens.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another example of main processing realized by the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
[0010]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 In-vehicle information processing apparatus 11 Bluetooth communication apparatus 12 Operation screen generation apparatus 12a Processing apparatus 12b Drawing apparatus 14 Display apparatus 20 Portable device 70a Touch switch 70b Touch switch 70c Touch switch [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]
[0011]
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall system configuration including an embodiment of an in-vehicle information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0013]
The in-vehicle information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is denoted by reference numeral 10. The in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 is mounted on a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 includes a Bluetooth communication device 11, an operation screen generation device 12, and a display device 14 as main components.
[0014]
The Bluetooth communication device 11 is a device that performs Bluetooth communication with the mobile device 20 brought into the vehicle by the user. The Bluetooth communication device 11 may have a transmission / reception antenna on an instrument panel, for example. An operation screen generating device 12 is connected to the Bluetooth communication device 11.
[0015]
The operation screen generation device 12 includes a processing device 12a and a drawing device 12b.
[0016]
The processing device 12a is a device that proactively executes various processes described in detail below. The processing device 12a includes, as a hardware configuration, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs for realizing various functions described later (for example, the processes shown in FIGS. 2 and 4), a readable / writable RAM that stores calculation results, and the like. You may have a timer, a counter, an input interface, an output interface, etc. The drawing device 12b draws an operation screen (described later) to be output to the display device 14 in accordance with an instruction from the processing device 12a. The processing device 12a and the drawing device 12b may be realized by a single control unit (for example, a navigation ECU), or may be realized by separate control units (for example, a navigation ECU and a display ECU, respectively). . The various functions of the processing device 12a and the drawing device 12b may be realized by software by the CPU executing a predetermined program, or by using hardware resources such as a logic circuit like the drawing IC. May be. The display device 4 is connected to the drawing device 12b.
[0017]
The display device 14 is a touch panel display provided at an appropriate location (for example, an instrument panel) in the vehicle interior. The display device 14 may be any type of touch panel display such as a touch panel liquid crystal display. An operation screen (described later) generated by the operation screen generation device 12 is displayed on the display device 14.
[0018]
The mobile device 20 is a mobile device such as a mobile phone, PDA, portable audio, DVD player, or digital camera, and has a Bluetooth communication function. For example, the portable device 20 is brought into the vehicle by the user with the Bluetooth communication function set to ON. The portable device 20 has a function (hereinafter referred to as a portable possession function) that can be realized in cooperation with the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 via Bluetooth communication. This portable possession function may vary depending on the type and model of the portable device 20. Moreover, in order to actually implement | achieve this portable possession function in cooperation with the vehicle-mounted information processing apparatus 10, it is necessary to have the function (henceforth a vehicle-mounted apparatus possession function) with which the vehicle-mounted information processing apparatus 10 side respond | corresponds.
[0019]
The portable possession function includes a hands-free function for performing a hands-free call using an in-vehicle microphone and an in-vehicle speaker by using the telephone function of the mobile device 20, and a telephone book or address book registered in the mobile device 20 as an in-vehicle information device (for example, a user interface) A phone book function used or edited by the display device 14), an audio / visual function for reproducing music or video data supplied from the portable device 20 by the in-vehicle audio / visual system, and a mail received by the portable device 20. A mail function or the like for transmitting mail from the mobile device 20 that is browsed by the in-vehicle information device (for example, the display device 14) or created by the in-vehicle information device (for example, the display device 14 having a user interface) may be included.
[0020]
These various portable possession functions are realized using a Bluetooth profile (hereinafter also simply referred to as a profile). This profile is typically a standard profile developed by the Bluetooth SIG of an industry group, but may include a unique profile that implements a manufacturer-specific function. The profile refers to a type of protocol that defines technical specifications including procedures and timings of transmission and reception of commands and data between the mobile device 20 and the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10, command definitions, variable definitions, and the like.
[0021]
As a standard profile, for example, a profile for realizing the above-mentioned hands-free function: HFP (Hands Free Profile), a profile for realizing the above-mentioned phone book function: PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile), the above-mentioned audio / There are profiles for realizing a visual function: AVP (Audio Visual Profile), profiles for realizing the above-mentioned mail function: MAP (Message Access Profile), and the like. The profile AVP for realizing the audio / visual function includes two profiles A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) and AVRCP (Audio Visual Remote Control Profile).
[0022]
Accordingly, the portable device 20 having the hands-free function and the phone book function as the portable possession function has the profile HFP and the profile PBAP, and the portable device having the hands-free function, the phone book function, and the audio / visual function as the portable possession function. 20, the profile HFP, the profile PBAP, and the profile AVP are held. Similarly, the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 has various profiles corresponding to the in-vehicle device possessing function. The in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 has all the profiles corresponding to the above four profiles (HFP, MAP, AVP, and MAP) in order to maximize the functions that can be realized with various portable devices 20. It's okay.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of main processing realized by the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The processing routine shown in FIG. 2 is started, for example, when the engine of the vehicle is started (that is, when the ignition switch is turned on). Here, as an example, it is assumed that the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 has profiles corresponding to the above-described four profiles (HFP, MAP, AVP, and MAP).
[0024]
In step 200, the Bluetooth communication device 11 starts Bluetooth communication with the mobile device 20 brought into the vehicle interior. This Bluetooth communication is automatically started when the mobile device 20 has the Bluetooth communication function set to the on state. In other cases, the Bluetooth communication may be started by an operation by the user, for example.
[0025]
In step 202, the profile held by the mobile device 20 is detected through the Bluetooth communication device 11. This profile detection is realized, for example, by a link establishment process that is normally performed between the Bluetooth communication device 11 and the portable device 20.
[0026]
In step 204, the processing device 12a checks the consistency between the profile on the portable device 20 side detected in the processing in step 202 and the profile supported by the in-vehicle information processing device 10. For example, when the profile HFP and profile PBAP are detected for the mobile device 20 brought in this time, these two profiles HFP and profile PBAP are matched with the profile on the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 side. . When the profile HFP, profile PBAP, and profile AVP are detected for the mobile device 20 brought in this time, these three profiles HFP, profile PBAP, and profile AVP are between the profiles on the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 side. Will be consistent. In the case where the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 has profiles corresponding to all portable possessing functions that the portable device 20 can possess, the consistency of the profile on the portable device 20 side detected in the above step 202 is confirmed. It may be confirmed unconditionally (ie, step 204 may be substantially omitted).
[0027]
In step 206, the processing device 12a selects and determines a function (on-vehicle device possessing function) to be operated on the in-vehicle information processing device 10 side based on the result of the processing in step 204. For example, when matching between the profile HFP and the profile PBAP is confirmed, a hands-free function and a telephone directory function are selected and determined. In addition, when the matching of the profile HFP, the profile PBAP, and the profile AVP is confirmed, the hands-free function, the phone book function, and the audio / visual function are selected and determined.
[0028]
In step 208, an operation screen having contents corresponding to the function determined in the process of step 206 is drawn by the drawing device 12b in response to a command from the processing device 12a and output to the display device 14.
[0029]
For example, when the hands-free function and the phone book function are selected and determined in the process of step 206, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the touch switch 70a for operating the hands-free function, the phone book An operation screen including a touch switch 70b for operating the function is generated and output. The touch switch 70a for operating the hands-free function and the touch switch 70b for operating the phone book function include characters indicating the respective switch functions (in the illustrated example, “hands-free” and “phone book”). ) May be drawn. As a result, the user can operate only the hands-free function and the phone book function that can be realized, and the operation itself is not possible for functions other than the hands-free function and the phone book function (for example, unrealizable functions such as audio / visual functions). Since this is not possible, it is possible to prevent unnecessary confusion from being given to the user. Note that the operation screen shown in FIG. 3A may be changed to an operation screen for operating a lower (lower) function when the user operates one of the touch switches 70a and 70b. . For example, when a user who wants to make a hands-free call operates the touch switch 70a, the operation screen shown in FIG. 3A is a lower-level operation screen (for example, a telephone number) for actually performing a hands-free call. For example, an operation screen including a touch switch for making a call or a touch switch for making a call). The number of layers is also arbitrary, and may be three or more layers.
[0030]
Similarly, when the hands-free function, the phone book function, and the audio / visual function are selected and determined in the process of step 206, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, a touch for operating the hands-free function An operation screen including a switch 70a, a touch switch 70b for operating the telephone directory function, and a touch switch 70c for operating the audio / visual function is generated and output. Note that characters (“audio” in the illustrated example) indicating the switch function may be drawn on the touch switch 70c for operating the audio / visual function. As a result, the user can operate only the hands-free function, the phone book function, and the audio / visual function that can be realized, and functions other than the hands-free function, the phone book function, and the audio / visual function (for example, the mail function cannot be realized). Since the operation itself is not possible, it is possible to prevent unnecessary confusion from being given to the user. Note that the operation screen shown in FIG. 3B may be changed to an operation screen for operating lower functions when the user operates any one of the touch switches 70a, 70b, and 70c. For example, when a user who wants to listen to music downloaded to the mobile device 20 operates the touch switch 70c, the operation screen shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on a lower operation screen (for example, playback, The screen may be changed to an operation screen including a touch switch for instructing fast-forwarding, stopping, or the like. The number of layers is also arbitrary, and may be three or more layers.
[0031]
As described above, according to the process shown in FIG. 2, when the user's portable device 20 is connected to the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 via Bluetooth communication, Possession function) and the portable possession function of the portable device 20 brought in by the user are generated, and an operation screen that can be operated only by the function capable of operating the portable device 20 brought in by the user is generated and output. can do. This eliminates the problem pointed out in the column “Problems to be Solved by the Invention”, that is, the problem of confusion to the user due to the operation screen having the operation switch for the function that is not actually realized. .
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another example of main processing realized by the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The processing routine shown in FIG. 4 is started, for example, when the engine of the vehicle is started, similarly to the processing routine shown in FIG. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 has profiles corresponding to the above-described four profiles (HFP, MAP, AVP, and MAP).
[0033]
The processes other than step 402, that is, the processes of steps 400, 404, 406, and 408 may be the same as the processes of steps 200, 204, 206, and 208 of the process shown in FIG. Is omitted.
[0034]
In step 402, the processing device 12a detects a profile held by the mobile device 20 based on registration information at the time of initial registration regarding the mobile device 20 brought into the vehicle interior. The registration information is stored in the memory by the processing device 12a when the portable device 20 is initially registered. The registration information includes information on a profile (portable function) held by the mobile device 20. In addition, the registration information may include information such as the model and manufacturer of the mobile device 20.
[0035]
As described above, according to the process illustrated in FIG. 4, as in the process illustrated in FIG. 2, when the user's portable device 20 is connected to the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 via the Bluetooth communication, the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 holds. The mobile device 20 brought in by the user operates by confirming the matching between some functions (in-vehicle device possessing function) and the portable possession function of the mobile device 20 brought in by the user based on the registration information. It is possible to generate and output an operation screen in which only functions that can be operated. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the user is confused by the operation screen having operation switches for functions that are not actually realized.
[0036]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.
[0037]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the wireless communication based on Bluetooth is used. However, the present invention is, for example, WiMAX (Worldwide
The present invention can also be applied to configurations using other wireless communication technologies such as Interoperability for Microwave Access. Further, the present invention is not limited to the form of wireless communication, and can also be applied to a configuration in which the mobile device 20 and the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10 are connected in the form of wired communication.
[0038]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an operation screen that hides the functions that cannot be realized is generated and output. Not limited. For example, an operation screen displayed in a manner in which functions that cannot be realized cannot be selected (for example, a disabled inactive touch switch) may be generated and output.
[0039]
In the above-described embodiment, only the operation switch for the function realized in cooperation with the mobile device 20 is set on the operation screen, but the function unrelated to the mobile device 20, that is, the in-vehicle information processing apparatus 10. Operation switches for functions that can be realized only by the functions (for example, navigation system functions and air conditioning setting functions) may be set. In this case, operation switches for functions unrelated to these portable devices 20 are always set (displayed) without depending on the connected portable device 20. In addition, in the state where the mobile device 20 is not connected, other displays (for example, a navigation system map, a TV, etc.) may be displayed on the display 12.
[0040]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the display device 14 is configured by a touch panel type display capable of touching the displayed operation screen, but the display device 14 may be a normal display device that is not a touch panel type. Good. In this case, the display device 14 may realize a display and input function in cooperation with a separate switch operation device. For example, the display device 14 may display the above-described operation screen, and the operation may be realized by a separate switch operation device (for example, a remote controller or a touch panel switch disposed at another location).

Claims (10)

An in-vehicle information processing apparatus that realizes various functions in cooperation with a mobile device connected in a car,
A communication device for communicating with a portable device,
A screen generation device that generates an operation screen for various functions that can be realized in cooperation with a mobile device,
The screen generation device is realized in cooperation with the connected mobile device among various functions that can be realized in cooperation with the mobile device based on information of the mobile device connected through the communication device. An in-vehicle information processing apparatus characterized by identifying a possible function and generating the different operation screen according to the identified realizable function.   The in-vehicle information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen generation apparatus generates the operation screen in which only the specified realizable function can be operated.   The in-vehicle information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the screen generation apparatus generates the operation screen on which only the specified realizable function is displayed.   The in-vehicle information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is a wireless communication apparatus based on Bluetooth.   The in-vehicle information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the screen generation apparatus identifies the realizable function by detecting a profile of a portable device with a Bluetooth communication function connected via the communication apparatus. .   Various functions realized in cooperation with the portable device include a hands-free function for performing a hands-free call with an in-vehicle microphone and an in-vehicle speaker using the telephone function of the portable device, a phone book or an address registered in the portable device A phone book function for using or editing a book on an in-vehicle information device, an audio / visual function for reproducing music or video data supplied from the portable device on an in-vehicle audio / visual device, and an email received by the portable device The in-vehicle information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least one of e-mail functions for browsing from an in-vehicle information device or transmitting an e-mail created by the in-vehicle information device from the portable device.   The in-vehicle information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display device that displays the operation screen generated by the screen generation device. An operation screen generation method for realizing various functions using a mobile device connected to an in-vehicle information processing apparatus,
A detection step of detecting a profile held by a mobile device connected via an in-vehicle communication device;
Based on the detection result of the detection step, a matching check step for checking the consistency between the profile held by the connected mobile device and the various profiles held by the in-vehicle information processing device,
An operation screen generation step for generating an operation screen that can be operated only by a function corresponding to a profile whose consistency is confirmed in the consistency confirmation step among various functions corresponding to various profiles held by the in-vehicle information processing apparatus; An in-vehicle information processing method comprising:   A computer-readable program that causes a computer to execute each step of the in-vehicle information processing method according to claim 8.   A storage medium storing the program according to claim 9.

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